--- title: 'Retail Operations Manager at Squishable' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/retail-operations-manager-squishable-new-york-bmkartb26nrr' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-03' --- # Retail Operations Manager at Squishable - **Company:** Squishable - **Location:** New York, NY / Washington, DC - **Posted:** 2026-10-29 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-03 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/squishable/jobs/4749034005 ## Job description Squishable is a close-knit team of designers, artists, pop-culture fanatics, and lovers of all things adorable. Together we create the cutest, cuddliest (and sometimes downright unusual) plush and lifestyle products in the world. With the millions-strong Squishable fan community cheering us on (and a lot of cupcakes, coffee, and karaoke) we make people say “awww.” Our offices are in a sunny loft in NYC's Flatiron District and in downtown Washington, DC. Job Summary: The Retail Operations Manager is responsible for developing and executing the operational strategy for Squishable's retail fleet, ensuring stores have the processes, systems, tools, and support needed to deliver exceptional customer experiences and strong business performance. Reporting to the Director of Retail, this role serves as a strategic business partner, working closely with the Director of Retail and Regional Managers to drive operational excellence, improve store performance, and execute key business initiatives across all locations. Together, they will identify opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance the customer and employee experience, strengthen operational execution, and support the company's continued growth. The Retail Operations Manager provides leadership across store operations, new store openings, facilities, operational systems, vendor management, and cross-functional initiatives. This individual will build scalable processes, lead operational projects from concept through execution, and help shape the future of Squishable's growing retail business. ## Responsibilities - Partner with the Director of Retail and Regional Managers to execute the operational strategy for Squishable's retail fleet, driving consistency, efficiency, and store performance across all locations - Analyze operational metrics, labor, sales, and key performance indicators to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and support data-driven business decisions - Develop, implement, and continuously improve operational standards, policies, procedures, and training that support operational excellence and an exceptional customer experience - Serve as the primary operational partner to Retail Leadership, providing guidance and support to Regional Managers and Store Managers while ensuring successful execution of company initiatives - Lead the operational execution of new store openings, relocations, remodels, pop-up locations, and store closures, including project planning, vendor coordination, fixture procurement, and store readiness - Oversee facilities management, preventative maintenance programs, vendor relationships, and operational budgets while identifying opportunities to improve service levels and reduce costs - Partner with Inventory Planning, Warehousing, Finance, IT, and other cross-functional teams to improve operational workflows, inventory accuracy, and store systems - Manage store operational resources, including the Store Operations Manual, operational communications, calendars, and tools that support consistent execution across the retail fleet - Evaluate and implement operational processes, systems, and technologies that improve efficiency, scalability, and business performance - Lead cross-functional projects, build strong partnerships across departments, and provide operational reporting and recommendations that support strategic planning and company growth ## Qualifications - 5+ years of progressive retail operations leadership experience within a multi-unit retail environment - Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail Management, Operations Management or a related field required - Proven success developing operational strategies, improving processes, and driving measurable business results - Experience leading new store openings, remodels, relocations, and other large-scale retail projects - Strong financial acumen, including experience analyzing labor, operational metrics, budgets, and cost-saving opportunities - Demonstrated success managing multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment - Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business recommendations - Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with experience presenting to senior leadership - Proven ability to build strong cross-functional partnerships and influence without direct authority - Experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite and strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, and reporting tools - Experience supporting a rapidly growing retail organization is strongly preferred Physical Requirements - Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb ladders, and move throughout retail environments for extended periods - Ability to lift and move up to 40 pounds - Ability to travel by air and automobile on a regular basis Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000 annually, depending on experience. Location: Candidates must be based in either our New York City or Washington, DC corporate office. Travel: Requires 30% - 40% travel Benefits & Perks: - 100% employer-paid health insurance - 100% employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance - 100% employer-paid life insurance - Affordable vision and dental insurance - 18 days of PTO per year, plus 2 floating holidays - 401(k) with employer match - Generous employee discount (hello, giant plush!) Squishable.com, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Squishable.com, Inc. also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, for sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, and as otherwise required by applicable law. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process may contact Squishable for assistance. Squishable.com, Inc. prohibits retaliation against any applicant or employee for exercising rights protected under applicable equal employment opportunity laws. Squishable.com, Inc. will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law, including applicable Fair Chance laws. [Read our CCPA disclosure notice.](https://squishable.com/pages/privacy-notice) ## About Squishable ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Squishable designs and sells giant, round, fuzzy stuffed animals (plush toys) through a fan-driven design process, blending technology and toy making. - **Entity Type**: Private (funding not publicly available) - **Headquarters**: New York City (Soho), New York, USA (with additional offices in Washington, DC) - **Founded**: 2007 - **Founders**: Zoe Fraade‑Blanar (Co‑Founder & CCO) and others (names not fully disclosed) ## Core Business - **Industry**: Toy manufacturing / Consumer goods; the company describes itself as “a technology company with a toy habit.” - **Target Customers**: B2C (collectors, fans, gift‑givers) and B2B (wholesale to retailers, corporate partners) - **Mission**: To make the world a cuter place and to empower fans to shape the products they love. ## Products & Services - **[Squishable Plush Toys]**: The core product line – large, round, soft stuffed animals in categories such as food, animals, mythological creatures, and original fan‑designed characters. Products are sold online and in retail stores. More than half of designs come from fan submissions via the “Project Open Squish” design contest. - **[Philanthropy Program]**: Monthly charity donations based on customer photo submissions, seasonal toy donations to children’s charities, and auctions of prototypes for charitable causes. ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not disclosed - **Key Metric**: Annual revenue ~$9.3 million (source: aggregated business database data) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors disclosed; partners include children’s charities and the fan community. - **Growth Signals**: - Over 3 million Squishables released to date. - Active hiring for a Head of Visual Merchandising (hybrid, NYC). - Small but stable team (62 employees per LinkedIn; 103 per Built In – conflicting reports). - Employee headcount declined ~3% year‑over‑year (LinkedIn), but the company continues to invest in retail and design roles. ## Competitive Advantages - **Fan‑Powered Design**: The “Project Open Squish” contest and constant community feedback ensure products resonate directly with buyers, creating strong brand loyalty and a built‑in marketing channel. - **Unique Aesthetic**: The distinct “squishy” look (giant, round, fuzzy) differentiates the brand from traditional plush toys. - **Community‑First Culture**: Active social media engagement, charity initiatives, and a dedicated fan base (over 3,700 LinkedIn followers) provide recurring organic promotion. ## Strategic Focus - **Retail Expansion**: Hiring a senior visual merchandising leader to elevate in‑store experiences and grow the physical retail footprint. - **Design & Innovation**: Continuing to crowdsource new designs and expand into new categories (food, mythical creatures, etc.). - **Philanthropy & Brand Purpose**: Deepening charitable partnerships to reinforce brand identity and customer loyalty. - **Operational Stability**: Maintaining a lean team while investing in e‑commerce (Shopify, Netsuite, etc.) and digital marketing. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: “Small but mighty” team of creatives, dreamers, and highly skilled individuals; described as friendly, passionate, and welcoming of big ideas. Karaoke nights and a strong sense of camaraderie. - **Work Model**: Hybrid – some roles are based in physical offices (NYC and Washington, DC) with flexibility; many positions require on‑site presence. The new Visual Merchandising role is explicitly hybrid. - **Benefits** (from company pages): - Great healthcare (medical, dental, vision), FSA, disability & life insurance - 401(k) with employer match - 100% paid parental leave for all new parents - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Generous PTO and paid holidays - Employee discounts (and “all the plush you can hug”) - Investment in training, education, and career development - **Engineering / Tech**: The company builds its own websites, tools, and internal systems; tech stack includes Shopify, Stripe, Netsuite, Mailchimp, Adobe Creative Suite, and more. ## Sources 1. [Squishable Official About Page](https://squishable.com/pages/about-us) 2. [Squishable Hire Me / Careers Page](https://squishable.com/pages/hire-me) 3. [Squishable LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/squishable) 4. [Squishable on Built In (company profile)](https://builtin.com/company/squishable) 5. 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